ICANN87: Connecting the Global Internet Community in Bali for Continuous Development

ICANN87: A Global Gathering in Bali

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is hosting its annual General Meeting (AGM) for 2026 in the beautiful city of Bali, Indonesia, from October 17 to 22. This event marks a significant milestone, being the first public ICANN meeting held in Indonesia. It brings together a diverse group of stakeholders, including government officials, businesses, technical experts, and civil society members, to engage in discussions regarding crucial issues affecting Internet security, stability, and interoperability.

Welcome Ceremony Highlights

The welcome ceremony on October 19 featured keynotes from influential figures such as Meutya Hafid, Indonesia's Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs; Isnawan Aslam, President of Indonesia's Internet Domain Name Registry (PANDI); Tripti Sinha, Chairwoman of the ICANN Board; and Kurtis Lindqvist, ICANN's President and CEO. Each speaker emphasized the importance of creating a secure and reliable Internet environment that fosters trust and engagement among users worldwide.

Minister Meutya Hafid’s Vision

Minister Hafid articulated Indonesia's commitment to not just expanding Internet access but ensuring that this connectivity enables meaningful participation in a secure digital environment. She stated, "As we look to the next decade, our responsibility is not solely about connection but maintaining the trust that gives it purpose. Connectivity fosters participation, growth generates opportunities, and protection builds the trust needed to support both."

PANDI’s Commitment

Isnawan Aslam highlighted PANDI's role in managing Indonesia's .id domain as a responsibility that extends beyond technical duties to preserving the digital identity of Indonesia. He stressed that trust is built through proven track records, consistent performance, and responsible governance, asserting, "PANDI is committed to ensuring the .id domain is secure, stable, and ready for the future of the Internet."

The Governance Model

Tripti Sinha spoke about the successful multi-stakeholder governance model, which has withstood various technological and geopolitical changes over the past decade. She stated, "The tenth anniversary of the transition of IANA functions showcases how this governance model has sustained its relevance, and we earn public trust through transparent governance and sound decision-making."

Strategizing for the Future

Kurtis Lindqvist emphasized the importance of synchronization between strategies, prioritization, budgeting, and implementation to create a clearer and more transparent process. "The ICANN community develops solutions, and the organization must turn those solutions into effective actions," he noted.

Honors and Recognition

During the ceremony, ICANN recognized Hartmut Glaser with the Dr. Tarek Kamel Award for Capacity Development 2026. This accolade acknowledges his remarkable contributions to Internet governance education at local, regional, and global levels, including founding the Brazilian Internet Governance School.

Sessions and Discussions

ICANN87 encompasses over 200 working sessions focused on Internet policy and technical priorities, including strategies against DNS-related abuses, enhancing security measures, and expanding domain name options through the new gTLD program. The six-day event champions ICANN's multi-stakeholder model, facilitating diverse groups in policy creation and coordination of unique Internet identifiers.

Participants are also invited to engage in discussions centered around capacity-building and leadership, coinciding with the induction of new ICANN Board members.

For continuous updates and more information, visit ICANN's official website and explore the ICANN87 page.

About ICANN

ICANN's mission is to help ensure a stable, secure, and unified global Internet. It was founded in 1998 as a nonprofit public benefit corporation and plays a crucial role in coordinating and supporting unique identifiers worldwide.

About PANDI

PENGELOLA Nama Domain Internet Indonesia (PANDI) operates the .id country code Top-Level Domain (ccTLD) for Indonesia. It plays a pivotal role in developing the .id domain ecosystem and promotes secure, stable, and reliable Internet governance. As of December 31, 2025, the total registered .id domain names reached 1,431,960, making it the largest country code TLD in Southeast Asia, reflecting Indonesia’s unique identity and interests.